Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-12-23
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Regular Correspondence of the Standard.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1887.

The general drift of Democratic
comment on the Presidents brief and
practical message to Congress bestows
the highest praise on that document
indeed, many of Mr.. Cleveland's warm
est admirers in Congress exultingly
declare that it is the most pithy and
courageous state paper issued since
the days of jackson. There is natur-
allv chorus of discordant notes
uttered in an undertOne, but that the
Presidents views are those of the
Democratic masses, there is little rea-
son TO seriously doubt. With the
President and the Speaker of the
House cordially concurring upon the
absolute necessity of tariff reform.
that question dwarfs all others and be-
comes the chief political issue of the
times. Democrats differ as to the
particular methods of reaching the
desired result OF reducing internal tax
alton, but all agree that reduction
is the country's only chance of finan-
cial redemption.
And here in Washington, it is the
universal opinion of all the politicians
that the tariff question will be the
chief factor in the Presidential con-
test of 1888.
The organization of the Fiftieth
Congress WAS effected in decorous
manner, despite the anticipation of Il
deadlock in the Senate, which failed
to materialize, although the public
thrOnged the corridors of the capitol
in the hope of witnessing sensational
scenes.
The Centennial Congress will GER
tainly be memorable for the sweeping
changes in the personnel of the House
not since 1874, when the tidal wave ol
Democracy overwhelmed Republican
ism, has there been such a revolution
in the membership Of that body, for OF
the 325 who were in the last Congress
13O failed to return. Among those re
firing are many prominent men, as
fully twO-thirds of the chairmcn OF
committees were numbered with tho
defeated. Of the familiar faces miss
ing from the Senate are Camden
Jones, of Florida, Malone, Harrison
and Whitthorne, and from the House.
Morrison, Bragg, Barksdalc, Warner
Brady, and O'Hara and Snialls-tht
two latter being colorcd and mailing
from North and South Carolina
This leaves " our brothers in black
without Il race representative i'll the
present Congress.
Speaker Carlisle enters upon hi.
third term rs presiding officer of thu
House-a distinction only conferred
upon five of his predecessors-thc las
OF these being Mr.. Blaine. There il
much doubt as to whether or not Mr.
Carlisle will be able to appoint commit
tees before the holiday adjournment
as, in addition to the usual pressure TO
desirable places, the Speaker ha
much new material with which t
deal. Capital gossip has assigned tn
following members to chairmanships
Mills, Ways and Means; Randall, Ap
preparations; Turner, Elections; Cul
bertson, judiciary; Bland, Coinage
Weights and Measures; Blanchard
Rivers and Harbors; and Herbert
Naval Affairs. Rumor. apparentl.
well founded, has it that these chair
manships are as good as settled. Fo
once at least, the political prophet
were correct in forecasting the lat
Cabinet changes. There is not tn
least doubt OF Mr.. Lamar's promp
confirmation us Associate Justice
when his nomination shall have beel
reported back from the Judiciar,
Committee. Many subordinates il
the Interior and Postofiice Depart
ments are now somewhat concerned
about their uncertain tenure of place
as it is known there will be a numbe
of changes in the force.
The Supreme Court, i'm sustaining
the position OF Virginia in the coupon
bond cases, and of Kansas in the pre-
hibition cases, has ut once settled tw'
important constitutional questions
and asserted the reserved rights of tn
States in II manner that doubtless de
lights the shade of the great Calhoun
The decision in the latter cases wi
have an important bearing politi
/; cally, adverse to the Republicans, IA
$ it gives the prohibition party a con
/, stitutional existence.
Washington is now crowded wit
visitors, churchmen, politicians, states
men, attracted by the meeting of til
American Evangelical Alliance, tn
presence Of Congress, and the sessio
of the National Republican Executiy
Committee. Dem.
THERE are three preachers in tn
, lower house OF Congress, J. ID. Stewar
of Georgia, and L. F. Mckinney, {
New Hampshire, being Democrat
and J. X. Cheadle, of Indiana, X
publican.